Archive · 23 Aug 2025
Guwahati Police File FIR Against Journalists, Others
Police in Guwahati have filed a case against journalists Siddharth Vardarajan and Karan Thapar, along with others, over articles published on 'The Wire.'
The complaint says these articles, written after a terror attack, were harmful to India.
The case includes names like Satya Pal Malik, who has passed away, and Pakistani media personality Najam Sethi.
The articles are accused of undermining India's security and spreading false information.
However, the Supreme Court has stepped in to protect the journalists from immediate arrest.
Guwahati Police filed an FIR against journalists Siddharth Vardarajan and Karan Thapar.
The FIR also names Satya Pal Malik, Najam Sethi, and Ashutosh Bharadwaj.
The case relates to articles published by 'The Wire' following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The complainant alleges the articles undermine India's sovereignty and spread misinformation.
The Supreme Court granted Vardarajan and Thapar protection from police action.
- Who
- Guwahati Police, Siddharth Vardarajan, Karan Thapar, Satya Pal Malik, Najam Sethi, Ashutosh Bharadwaj, Biju Verma, The Wire.
- What
- An FIR was filed by Guwahati Police against several individuals, including journalists and others.
- When
- The FIR was filed on May 9, following the Pahalgam terror attack. The article was written around August 2025.
- Where
- Guwahati, India
- Why
- The FIR alleges the articles undermined India's sovereignty and spread misinformation.
Accused Journalists and Supporters
Government and Complainant
Reporting Limits
Accused Journalists and Supporters
Freedom of speech is critical for democracy and the press should be able to report on such events.
Government and Complainant
Reporting may be limited in the interest of national security.
Motive
Accused Journalists and Supporters
Critics say that the government is overreacting and trying to silence dissent.
Government and Complainant
Supporters would say that the media is at fault for undermining national security.
- Police Department
- Guwahati Police
- FIR Filed Against
- Siddharth Vardarajan, Karan Thapar, and others
- Complainant
- Biju Verma
- News platform
- The Wire
- Supreme Court Action
- Granted protection against coercive action
